In healthcare and other industries, research plays a significant role in supporting and influencing change. Evidence from experiments and interviews can be used to update policy, create new recommendations for clinicians and managers, and help develop new treatments or reconsider the existing ones. However, not all studies can be approached with the same level of trust.
The accepted ranking of different sources of information is titled the levels of evidence – it describes the different types of research projects and their reliability (Winona State University, 2024). When considering evidence, professionals decide whether to apply it to practice based on the level of evidence. If the data is obtained from a more reliable source, such as a randomized controlled trial, it is more likely to produce the same results (Winona State University, 2024). In contrast, if the knowledge has been tested in only a single study or presented as an expert opinion, it should be investigated further.
The highest level of evidence comes from systematic reviews and meta-analyses. It is vital to mention that these reviews should consider only randomized controlled trials (Schmidt et al., 2024). This evidence is based on a comprehensive collection of quantitative data, analyzed in depth to determine the effects of a specific phenomenon.
Therefore, a professional gains much insight into the issue and receives the ability to implement an evidence-based change. For instance, a type of practice that can result from using a systematic review is the addition of a new therapy for pain management (Schmidt et al., 2024). A meta-analysis may show that studies supporting the new treatment are consistent. At the same time, those that do not demonstrate any positive effects may have biases or lack data. If evidence shows that the practice is beneficial for patients, it can be incorporated into the standard of care.
References
Schmidt, N. A., & Brown, J. M. (2024). Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research(6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Winona State University. (2024). Evidence based practice toolkit.